Shapoorji Pallonji Announces Sponsorhsip Of Ireland Team For ICC World T20 Qualifier

Shapoorji Pallonji today announced its sponsorship of the Ireland cricket team for the upcoming ICC World T20 Qualification Tournament, which kicks off on 10th July. The Irish Cricket Team will be aiming for a place at the ICC World T20 which takes place in India next March.

The ICC World T20 Qualifier will be co-hosted by Ireland and Scotland and will see 14 teams play 51 matches across eight venues, in what is the biggest cricket tournament to come to these shores. The teams will be playing to secure one of the six qualification spots on offer for the showpiece event next year where they will join the top teams in the world.

Ireland have a strong history in this tournament, finishing in the top spot in three of the four editions to date and qualifying for each ICC World T20 in the process.

Shapoorji Pallonji are the sponsors of the Cricket Ireland Academy and are celebrating 150 years in business in 2015. SP's sponsorship of the national team for the World T20 Qualifiers will be broadcast globally to more than 200 broadcast territories. The Shapoorji Pallonji Cricket Ireland Academy sponsorship was launched last September in Dublin and saw the Irish owned Indian conglomerate come on board for a ten year period.

Commenting on the announcement, Vasant Sanzgiri, Group Head, Human Resources from Shapoorji Pallonji, said "Shapoorji Pallonj, a 150 year old group, is proud of its association with Cricket Ireland and supporting the cricket team in its endeavours at the World T20 Qualifier is just another step in cementing our relationship. We wish the team every success in qualifying to play in India in 2016."

Warren Deutrom, CEO of Cricket Ireland, said: "We are delighted that Shapoorji Pallonji will be supporting our efforts at the ICC World T20 Qualifier that will take place here in Ireland and Scotland. Our relationship with the SP Group continues to go from strength to strength and their association with the Irish Cricket team for the World T20 Qualifier is a real boost for Cricket Ireland. We share a great heritage and we hope to help celebrate their landmark year by qualifying for the main event in SP's home country India next year."

Entry to Ireland's matches will be £8 for adults & £6 for OAPs in Stormont, and €10 for adults & €8 for OAPs in Malahide; entry for under-16s is free at both venues. Tickets are now available to purchase on www.cricketireland.ie and through Ticketmaster.

Ireland's World T20 Qualifier Fixtures:

Warm-ups:
UAE, Monday July 6, Stormont, 14:15
Oman, Tuesday July 7, Stormont, 14:15

Group Games:
Namibia, Friday July 10, Stormont, 10:00
USA, Sunday July 12, Stormont, 10:00
Nepal, Monday July 13, Stormont, 14:15
PNG, Wednesday July 15, Stormont, 10:00
Hong Kong, Friday July 17, Malahide, 14:15
Jersey, Sunday July 19, Malahide, 10:00

Semi-Finals & Final:
Semi-Final 1 - Saturday, July 25, Malahide, 10:00
Semi-Final 2 - Saturday, July 26, Malahide, 14:15
Final - Sunday July 25, Malahide, 14:15